Original subtitles

Previously on The Firm.

It's Joey Miralto Jr.

I didn't know the old man had a kid. Because he was 15 when his father went

to prison. Junior turned 25 this week.

It's a little birthday gift. They made a boss of the family. I'm sure he has more

to worry about than me.

I have a plan for Mitch McDeer. And when I'm ready, you will hear about it.

So will he.

I called my parents.

I'd like to see them. I never thought we would get here, huh? I'm going, but I'm

not leaving.

Hello, Mother.

I saw the news. I know what happened with Noble Insurance.

Conspiracy, the murders, the torture.

You're running. It has taken all these years, but you finally ran home.

How is your marriage, Abby?

Are you sure? Dr. Wilson was supposed to call in that prescription last night.

Okay.

Thanks.

Starting to get worried.

Yeah. Hey.

We're fine.

Did you get my text?

Yeah. It sounds like an interesting night.

How's your dad?

He's good.

He looks older.

I mean, it's been 11 years, so, you know.

It was harder than I thought.

How's Claire?

She loved him. And he definitely loved her.

They're going to watch a movie together this morning.

And... I... I thought my mom was ready to reconnect, but I guess just because

I am doesn't mean she has to be.

Yeah, I was going to say that to you.

Look, I want you to come home, Ab.

I know that you need some time, Sue. You just... You do what you need to do,

okay?

Look, the important thing is... What ha... What happened is done.

Mitch, it'll just be something else.

Another conspiracy.

I took too many chances. I know that.

I know you need some time. It's just... I want us to be okay again.

Hey, just sit tight. I'm working on it.

What's up, boss?

Find Sal and get in here.

Three of us are going to D.C.

Why? What's up? I told you, when I was ready, we'd deal with Mitch McDeer.

It's time.

Hey.

That's the same suit and tie you're wearing yesterday, which means you

didn't go home, so either you're starting a trial or this office got

ransacked. Door number one, new case, big client, actually. Henry Kettle?

Henry Kettle, novelist.

That's not a big case. That's a massive case, a press case.

Nick Kinross sent it over. The facts are actually pretty interesting.

Hang on, I'm a little lost. I thought we were done with Kinross and Clark. Press

case says they bring in business, right? This isn't about business. This is about

keeping your mind occupied while your wife and kid are in Kentucky.

Nick's been Henry's lawyer for 15 years.

Copyright, publishing.

This is a murder charge.

Yeah, that's why he sent it to me.

He's been working with some big-town lawyer up in New York.

But Nick didn't trust him. Mitch, you don't need to do this right now. Not

with Abby away.

Come on, man.

Tammy's off getting her divorce in Tennessee. It's just you and me. Let's

take a break.

I need to work, Ray.

I'm not okay right now. I don't know a damn thing.

But this?

This I know.

I'm gonna go home and change.

There's an eyewitness who puts Henry at the crime scene. Check him out. See if

there's anything you can find that helps us.

Dr. Wilson?

Hi. Hi.

So you're Maxine Sutherland's daughter.

Yes.

My daughter Claire and I are just visiting from D.C.

You know, I have to say, I've known Maxine for a long time, and she hadn't

told me much about you.

Really? Well, you know how it goes.

Maybe some relationships are just beyond therapy.

I'm not your mother's therapist.

I write the occasional prescription for her for convenience, but, uh, we're

colleagues. Colleagues?

At the community center.

She runs the children's program.

I help out, counsel some underprivileged kids.

Volunteering?

That doesn't sound like the mom I knew.

Hmm. I guess you two haven't seen each other in a while.

Actually, I really didn't come here to talk about her. As I told your

receptionist, I just need a prescription refill, and my mom thought maybe you

could help.

I see.

Your receptionist said you could just call it in.

Yeah, she shouldn't have. I'm sorry. I don't write prescriptions for patients

without a session first.

I have time now, if you're free.

I guess I could.

Great. I'll let the folks out. Right now.

Okay.

It's all set.

Actually, I just remembered. I have to pick up my daughter right now. Maybe we

could do this another time.

Sure.

Today, of course, day one in the trial of reclusive novelist Henry Kettle, a

man very rarely seen in public. In fact, a man known more for his secretive

lifestyle than for writing in recent years. Kettle is charged with brutally

killing his sister Margaret.

Sadly, rumors have been swirling about Henry Kettle for some time. Some saying

the eccentric genius may be legally insane.

I am not insane.

You don't know me, Henry, but Nick Kinross sent me here because I am

experienced with cases like this. Now, I am ready for trial.

But I do have to ask the court for a psychological exam.

You honestly think I'm crazy? I don't know what to think. Live alone, you have

no friends, you don't even drive a car. I had a vision I died in a car crash.

That doesn't make me certifiable.

You don't talk on the phone because somebody may be listening?

You told a reporter you don't eat meat because a cow asked you not to. That was

years ago, and at the time, I was extremely high.

This isn't funny. I know that.

Look, it's true. I am a...

Highly suspicious, deeply paranoid, militant vegetarian.

But I loved my sister.

I believe that.

But they have evidence.

A witness heard you arguing with Margaret in her apartment. He saw you

walk out of her door with a scratch on your face, and she was found strangled

just a few minutes later. She was alive when I left. I wouldn't hurt her. If I

think that you are unstable, I am required by law to ask for an exam.

Do it already!

Look, I know what I am, and I'm not saying I don't need to shrink, but I'm

all here.

Right here, and I'm innocent.

I met Henry almost 15 years ago. I was a young literary agent. He was an English

graduate student with his first novel.

You're referring to The Saddest Generation?

Yes. Since then, it's been called perhaps the finest work of fiction in

the last half century.

20 million copies in print worldwide.

I see. How old is Mr. Kettle when he wrote it?

Twenty-five. Henry was an overnight sensation.

One minute he was going to class, next minute he was teaching it. How did he

handle the attention?

Henry hated the spotlight.

He shut everyone out except for his younger sister, Margaret, and I. He

became, I know he hates the word, a recluse.

And what about his writing?

There was no writing.

I spent years begging him to go back to work, but nothing.

And then, it finally happened.

What happened?

Several months ago, Henry told me he was working on a new novel.

Naturally, I was thrilled.

But he refused to show it to me. Well, did he say why?

Yes. He was writing for himself.

No readers, no public opinion.

Just the work.

I understood.

But I couldn't accept it.

So I reached out to Margaret.

The defendant's sister?

Yes. She took care of Henry.

I called her. I told her the world deserves to see Henry's new book. Did

she help you? Eventually, yes.

She took it when Henry was out.

She brought it to me at my hotel here in town. When Henry realized, he called me.

How did he react?

He was furious.

He wanted to stay hidden. The idea of more praise, more public attention.

It was his nightmare.

When he hung up, I realized he was leaving to find her.

And what did you do?

I took a cab from the hotel to Margaret's apartment.

But Henry had already been there and gone.

Objection. Sustained. Mr. Miller, just tell us what you saw.

The door was unlocked.

I knocked. When I went inside, I found her on the ground.

I could see that she was dead.

Thank you.

No further questions.

Henry loved his sister, didn't he?

Objection. I'll rephrase.

Did you ever see Henry get violent with Margaret?

No. In fact, quite the opposite is true, isn't it? Henry supported Margaret

financially. He bought her a condo. He paid her a mortgage. Yes.

Margaret was a troubled woman, wasn't she?

Extremely shy, easily overwhelmed. Objection. The victim's psychiatric

history has no relevance.

She saw doctors, all because Henry made... Look, what do you want me to

say, that I'm surprised?

I'm more than surprised. He's crazy, but I never thought he'd kill her. I'm not

crazy. Mr. Kettle, there will be no outbursts in my courtroom. I am not

crazy. Henry. No, you tell them. Mr.

Kettle, you will sit down, sir, or I will have you removed from the

courtroom.

This is my brother, Ray. He is a private investigator.

He is looking into Margaret's neighbor, the witness who puts you at the murder

scene.

Good to meet you.

Liked your book.

The medical examiner's next?

Yes. I can't hear that. I don't want to be in court for that. Henry, you need to

pull it together.

There cannot be any more outbursts like this morning.

The jury cannot see you as unstable.

No. Yes. You cannot be absent from testimony without permission. Then you

get me permission!

I mean, could you sit there if it was your wife?

Someone you loved? I'm not going.

You'll want to run that one by me again, Counsel.

Your Honor, I know that it is unusual, but he is highly emotional.

Then get him a tissue.

Plenty of defendants get upset when they hear details of their own crime. Are you

saying he's guilty? He is more than upset, and he did not kill his sister,

so the idea of listening to all the gory details of her murder is enough to send

him over the edge. Oh, please.

Is that a legal argument, Helen?

I don't need a legal argument to call out crap when I hear it.

Your Honor, the defendant has the right to confront witnesses against him, but

there is no law requiring him to be present.

What about the victim's rights? What about our rights to force her murderer

to face what he did? Now, that's crap. If your client's uncomfortable, the jury

should see that. What, so they can assume that he's guilty?

That's speculation.

Speculation cuts both ways, Counsel.

If I keep him in, the jury will speculate on why he's upset.

If I let him go, they'll speculate on why he's not there. You could instruct

them not to draw any conclusions.

Tonight, I won't risk reversal on appeal.

Objection. I've made my decision, counsel.

Tell your client to strap it in and hold it down. He's staying.

I could come back when the movie's over.

Oh, it'll only be a minute or two longer.

You and your father.

You still love watching old movies?

So you saw Dr. Wilson this morning. What a coincidence.

So much for doctor-patient confidentiality. Ben would never say

anything. Pauline Evans saw you going into the office.

I'm curious how you found him.

He just wrote me a prescription.

Bottles in my medicine chest.

You wouldn't have gone in there, would you? Perhaps looking for something to

take the edge off?

Oh, of course not. After all, you've said everything's fine.

We're done.

And so is the popcorn.

So, everybody behaving?

What else would we be doing?

Lying like a rug? Your specialty?

I heard you talking about the community center.

Maybe Abby and Claire would be interested in helping with your dance

tomorrow night.

Dance? Where? Harold, really.

They're in town to relax, not to work.

I like to work. My dad works all the time. Yeah, but if Grandma doesn't want

help, it's impolite to butt in. No, it isn't. This is the South.

You see, Claire, your grandma runs the children's program at the Danesboro

Community Center. And tomorrow night, she's having a dance for underprivileged

kids. Mm-hmm.

Mom, what do you think?

I think underprivileged kids need laptops, not a cotillion.

Our charity does provide educational support, but learning how to behave in

social settings is also important.

Come on, Mom, let's do it. It'll help you feel better.

What are you talking about?

I feel fine. Fine like a rug.

Must be genetic.

Okay.

Let's help Grandma.

The cause of death in general terms was homicidal strangulation.

And as the medical examiner, Dr. Schneider, how did you arrive at that

conclusion?

In cases like this, we look for blunt force injury to the tissues of the neck.

With Margaret, we didn't have to look far.

You can see the bruising pattern, the finger touch pads of the right hand

along the neck, and the thumb on the opposite side.

What do those bruises tell you? They tell me the killer applied unusual

force, a fact I confirmed during the autopsy. The victim had extensive soft

tissue damage and multiple fractures of the hyoid bone. Is that uncommon?

Yes. In my medical opinion, this was not your standard asphyxiation. There is

evidence of rage.

Whoever wanted the victim dead made sure the job was done. Thank you, Doctor.

Nothing further.

Write something.

Distract yourself.

Doctor, the bruising pattern you showed us is consistent with the killer's right

hand, correct?

Yes. You are aware that my client is left-handed.

That's not dispositive. You said the killer wanted her dead. It seems to me

he would use his good hand.

That's deceptive. In many cases, the killer will use both hands, one on top

of the other. In fact, there are signs that happened here.

Signs. In other words, you're...

Guessing. No.

The victim had scratches on her right neck. I believe those are made by the

defendant's nails.

The curved nature of the... You believe. Again, that's not exactly scientific.

So tell me, Doctor, did you find my client's skin cells on the victim's

neck? No. No.

So... No further

questions, Your Honor. I need a recess.

Well, it's getting late.

Let's just pick this up in the morning.

Tell me what just happened, Henry, because I think I know what just

happened. I told you I couldn't handle it.

It's fine. It barely broke the skin.

I just couldn't listen to it anymore. I had to feel something else. Just

anything. Hey, you asked me to look into the eyewitness.

Check that out.

This could work, Ray.

It could get us reasonable doubt.

Mr. McKenzie, did you know Margaret Kettle?

Yes. She bought a condo in my building two years ago.

My wife and I live on the same floor. We were good friends.

Did you see her the day she was killed?

No.

Please tell us what you did see.

I came home from work, took the elevator to the fourth floor, like always.

That's when I saw the defendant.

Mr. Kettle, you're certain? Yes. He was coming up the stairs as I left the

elevator. He was out of breath, angry.

Objection. The witness can't know my client's state of mind.

Sustained. Please continue, sir.

I said hello, but he ignored me.

He went to Margaret's apartment and started banging on the door. I was

concerned, but I knew Henry was her brother, so... You went home? Yes.

After a few minutes, I heard yelling. Clearly, they were having a fight. I

went out into the hallway, thought about knocking. Did you? No, I didn't get the

chance. I was walking to her door when Henry suddenly came out. He looked... I

don't know how else to describe it. Enraged. He had a scratch running down

the side of his face. It was bleeding.

What did you do?

Nothing. Henry went down the stairs. I went to Margaret's door, but she didn't

answer. Thank you. No further questions.

You said you and Margaret were friends.

Yes.

I'll give you one chance to tell them, Paul.

The truth is, you and Margaret were romantically involved.

Objection! Foundation! I am laying the foundation.

Who are you looking at?

Your wife.

She doesn't know, does she?

Overruled. The witness will answer.

This is the pendant Margaret was wearing when she died.

You bought that for her, didn't you?

This is the receipt from your credit card used to buy the pendant two days

before she was murdered.

Do you buy all your friends diamond pendants?

I'm sorry.

And this is the note you dictated to the store clerk on the phone. It's very

short. Just says, soon.

Love, Paul.

You said that, didn't you?

Yes. What did you mean by that?

Soon. You told Margaret you were going to leave your wife, but you didn't

leave, did you? You wanted to buy more time, so you gave Margaret a gift.

Objection! Overruled. What happened?

Did she threaten you?

Did she threaten to walk down the hall and tell your wife the truth? No.

So you killed her. I didn't kill her.

She was so angry at me, why was she wearing that pendant?

Look, I loved her.

I wrote soon in that card because I meant it.

I wanted us to be together.

Grandma, look at how pretty this looks.

Oh, lovely dear.

Regina, help her with the clumping.

Still no sound?

No, the vendor thinks that it's a blown fuse in the amplifier, and he'll replace

it, but you're gonna have to take it down to the shop.

I'm gonna get you some help.

Oh, Ben!

Maxine! Everything looks so great.

And, uh, I see you've recruited some excellent help.

Mm-hmm.

How was the session?

Mother!

Cool your cannons, Abby. I wasn't talking about you.

The center has given us office space upstairs, and Ben donates his time twice

a week to counsel the new kids.

It went fine. I think we can help him.

Wonderful. Oh, perhaps you can help us, too.

Abby needs to take this amplifier across town, and she could use a man with good

biceps. Anything for you, Maxine. No.

Mother, we shouldn't inconvenience Dr. Wilson. I'm sure he's very busy.

Actually, I'm not.

No, really. My mother's afraid of anything that might break a nail.

Abby, this kind gentleman has offered his assistance. Be polite.

Besides, Dr.

Wilson said he's helping me, and I accept.

Ms. Figgis, at the risk of being optimistic, does the state rest?

No, Your Honor.

The people call Robert Frayne to the stand.

Your Honor, Mr. Frane is not on the witness list. Because the people didn't

know Mr. Frane was a witness.

He found us this morning. Don't worry, Counsel.

You'll have time before cross if you need it.

Robert Frane.

I'm Senior Vice President of Crossfield Press. We publish fiction novels based

here in D.C.

Sir, can you tell me, is this one of the novels submitted to your company?

Yes. I received a call from Margaret Kettle shortly before she died. She told

me she was sending her brother's book. It arrived from the mail the next day.

Objection. Sidebar, Your Honor.

I don't see how this document is relevant.

This document is the defendant's new novel. So?

So. Your client had a reason for not wanting it published, and it wasn't his

fear of praise.

Objection overruled.

Mr. Frank, did you read the book?

Yes. You had no right to do that. I wrote that for myself.

Mr. McDeer, if your client can't control his... Those pages are private. Mr.

Kettle, sit down. Or an officer will sit you down. Understood?

Please, give us your professional opinion.

As a publisher, I was astonished.

I found the writing to be mediocre at best.

It was structurally flawed, amateurish. The characters were poorly drawn. And

each page, to put it mildly, was a grammatical catastrophe.

Move to strike.

This testimony is directly relevant. To what?

This trial is about a murder. It's not a book review.

To rage.

Mr. Kettle wasn't angry because his writing was exposed.

He was angry because he was exposed as a washed-up talent. I want this testimony

stricken along with the commentary.

All those years being told you're a genius, to know in your own mind that

you'd lost your gift, and to have that fact brought out by your own sister.

Objection! Sustained. Approach the bench.

I was just responding to an objection.

You were crossing the line, and you damn well know it.

That being said, the relevance objection is again denied.

Your Honor. It goes to motive counsel.

If your client felt humiliated by the victim... She can't prove that. Maybe

Henry thought the book was brilliant.

Maybe, but she can argue the point.

I'll let the jury decide.

All right, there we go.

No problem.

Nothing that a chiropractor and a Scotch couldn't fix.

Sure way of asking me out for a drink.

Actually, I don't think my husband would love that. Your husband?

Wait, I'm sorry. I was under the impression you were in town because your

marriage didn't work out.

An impression you got from my mother.

More like wishful thinking on her part.

She disapproved of your husband.

Oh, you're the shrink. Is boycotting your only daughter's wedding a sign of

disapproval?

You know, I did notice you never rescheduled our appointment.

Yeah, well... If you and my mom were working together, it didn't...

It didn't seem like a great idea.

And now that you've hit on me, it's... I got bad information. You can't hold that

against me. Okay.

If, uh... If you don't hold this against me, I took

this off your desk when you were out of the room. I didn't try to fill it.

I'm glad.

What changed your mind?

My daughter.

I...

I thought I had it under control, but even she noticed that something's wrong,

and I can't do that to her again.

Do what again?

There's a reason that I haven't seen my parents for a while.

My husband and I were put into witness protection ten years ago.

And you weren't allowed to see them.

It's been hard.

And so I use the pills as a way to make things easier.

But it's been a problem.

And once it got really bad.

Pills are an escape.

A way to avoid reality, huh?

What reality are you trying to avoid now?

Your mom seems to think it's your marriage.

I feel like I should be paying you. I didn't mean for this to turn into a

session. That's fine.

No, I'm sorry. I just... I have been talking to the same three people for,

like, ten years.

So it's really nice to, um... Talk to someone new. I get it.

Yeah.

You don't need to come with me, really. I mean, the store is just right around

the corner, and I think they're going to fix it pretty quick.

I have the time.

And anyway, uh... The store's that way.

You have no idea where you are.

Okay. Look, I'm not against looking. I've been looking.

I make looking look good, but what the hell am I looking for?

Something. I don't know. But if Henry is innocent, then there must be something

that we missed.

Vouchered item.

One glass recovered from the table next to the victim.

Contents found to be water.

Prints belong to the victim only.

Vouchered item.

Lady's handbag.

Contents include one lady's wallet, assorted credit cards, one key ring,

three house keys.

Oh! Vouchered item.

Cough drops.

Two. Recovered for... Okay, this is stupid. Wait, why the third key on the

ring? It's a standard door. It's just got a top and a bottom lock.

I don't know. Maybe it's an extra.

Actually... There's an auto payment on her credit card monthly to a place

called The Vault.

Sound like storage the vault 118 Omega Street could be check it out

Writers

only what is this place?

I was wondering if somebody'd show up I thought maybe I'd have to gather things

by myself.

Well, name kind of threw me off. Yeah, it's understandable. The vault is

supposed to be like the place you go to lock yourself away and get some writing

done. But it's open to the public.

Assuming we have the space available. We have ten rooms. We offer coffee and

writing supplies.

The brilliant ideas are your responsibility.

Did you know Margaret Kell?

Not really, but as well as anyone else around here.

Margaret liked to be off on her own.

This is it.

Told the police about this place, but they didn't seem to care.

Said to send any personal effects back to the family.

Henry is the writer in the family, so why would Margaret rent a space in the

vault? Don't know.

I'll be down front if you need me.

All right, thanks.

49.

Margaret was writing a book.

A book that told the truth about her and Henry.

Henry, I am your lawyer.

I'm here to help you. We are here to help you.

We know about Margaret. We know how this started.

The Saddest Generation, it is a brilliant novel.

Margaret did.

How could you know that?

I found Margaret's new book.

Margaret was writing again. Non-fiction.

The true story of how The Saddest Generation was written.

I didn't know.

It's like a diary.

She tells all of it.

about how she wrote the novel when she was 19, about how she begged you to take

credit for it.

I didn't want to.

I tried to stop it, but they wouldn't listen.

Who wouldn't listen?

Margaret.

And my father.

I don't understand!

It's a novel.

I never thought they would like it.

She submitted it under your name, Henry, and they do like it. Then tell them

to...

She can barely leave the house, Henry. Margaret can't talk to people the way

that you can. I don't care.

I have my own writing.

There's an agent. He wants a meeting. One meeting.

After that, they can publish the book.

Henry, we need the money.

Henry, please.

I can't meet them. Look at me. I can't be around too many people. People love

you, Henry.

Once it's published, you can go back to your own writing.

We need the money.

One meeting.

That's what they said.

But when the book came out, it was over. When the critics said it was brilliant,

there were reporters and interviewers. Why wouldn't Margaret do it? Oh, she

couldn't do that.

Even as a kid, Margaret had doctors and phobias, and I was the normal one, the

happy one.

Look at me now.

Henry, your story isn't over yet. When she found out I was writing again, she

was so angry.

Why? I betrayed her.

You know, you have to understand, in her mind, Margaret was Henry Kettle. You

know, only she could write a book using that name.

Your name.

You know, I told her I didn't care about publishing. I just wanted to write

again.

You know, for myself, just so I could see what I could have been on my own.

She didn't believe me.

It wasn't her fault, though. Margaret...

wasn't well.

You know, she couldn't control her emotions.

And that's why she stole your pages.

To embarrass me.

When she took the pages, I went to find her, and... she wouldn't listen.

She slapped me.

Do you have any idea what it's like?

To wake up every day knowing you're living someone else's life.

Henry, did you kill Margaret?

No.

But it's too late. I mean, the jury thinks I did. They're convinced I'm

crazy. No, it is not too late. We never give up.

Excuse me, miss.

Ask her.

My name's Zack.

May I have this dance?

Sure.

See?

Some things are better than a laptop.

What? None of the boys ask you to dance?

Well, aren't you just in all the most unexpected places?

Nice to see you, too.

So you come to all these teenage dances?

I'm working.

Well, I was working. I just came out to take a break and get some air.

Work the nights, dedicated and charming.

As a matter of fact, I am usually much lazier.

Just, I'm trying to track down some missing money. See, we get state funds

to treat these kids, and I just can't seem to account for it all. Well, maybe

I could help you. I do all the bookkeeping at our office at home.

I might take you up on that.

How's it going with your mom?

Oh, the...

Look, I just gotta say, it couldn't have been easy for her, watching her only

daughter go into witness protection.

If you take her side, I am gonna throw you off this balcony.

I used to go to dances in white gloves, and my mom taught me the keys to

being a woman, like fine manners and good posture.

Oh, and it was all so small.

And that's why Mitch...

It was magical.

You know, my mom just wanted to change her wardrobe every season, and Mitch

wanted to change the world.

And so did you.

Yeah.

How's that working out?

Because I got what I wanted.

But sometimes I wish my life was smaller.

Sorry. I shouldn't have done that.

No, you shouldn't have.

We've all done things we wish we could take back.

I hear you. But taking credit for a book that's a national treasure?

Come on.

Okay, new theory. Go back to the night Margaret died.

Henry goes over to Margaret's apartment.

He's angry. He confronts her about stealing the pages.

Uh-huh. They argue, and he leaves.

Margaret's still alive.

Okay, that works assuming someone came in and strangled her after he left. You

have a suspect.

Yeah. Maybe one.

Who?

Gordon Miller.

Henry's agent.

The dude that found the body. Or maybe he didn't. Maybe she was alive when he

got there. Come on, we ruled him out because there was no motive.

Until now.

When he gets there, Margaret's upset. He tries to calm her down, but she doesn't.

She tells him the truth.

That she wrote The Saddest Generation.

Why would she do that? Because she can't control her emotions.

She threatens to go public with it.

But why does it kill her? Money.

Miller's got Henry's new book.

He knows it's worth a fortune. He sells it, he gets a huge commission.

Unless Margaret tells the truth.

Henry Kettle is a fraud.

Okay, that's a theory.

Miller's a big guy. He could easily strangle a woman Margaret's size. Plus,

he's probably right-handed.

Right-handed? Well, that narrows it down.

I don't see how you can approve this.

I think I might know a way.

We need to talk.

I'm not taking the plea. Neither am I.

Henry didn't kill Margaret, but I might know who did. You might. It's your

choice, Helen. Hear me out now, or we play this out in front of a jury.

If I'm right, you set an innocent man free. If I'm wrong, then you lose

nothing, and we go on with the trial.

I'm listening.

I need a continuance.

And I need you to make a call.

Mr. Miller,

would you come with us, please, sir?

What's this about?

This is absurd.

Now you think I killed Margaret.

Honestly?

No. Then what the hell are we doing here?

Just tying up loose ends.

I'm assuming you have nothing to hide. I don't. So then let's just do this so we

can all move forward.

Your wedding ring. May I see it, please?

Why? Please.

What the hell is this? What are you doing?

Margaret had scratches on her neck.

Curved scratches.

The M.E. thought that they were from Henry's fingernails.

I don't think so.

Ring's been cleaned. Nothing on the surface.

Remove the stone.

Hang on. Sit down, Mr. Miller.

We'll be out of here soon enough.

We have blood.

Why is there blood on your ring, Gordon?

Answer the question.

It doesn't have to. The swab will come back a match to Margaret Kettle's DNA.

And we'll know why.

I babysat that crazy son of a bitch for 15 years.

Begging him all that time to favor us with his genius.

Write us another masterpiece.

He didn't even... the first one.

What does that mean?

It means Henry's a fraud.

His sister wrote The Saddest Generation.

You should have seen her.

Shy little Margaret mocking me.

She was gonna make sure everyone knew the truth.

Do you know how much a new manuscript from Henry Kettle is worth?

You didn't have to kill her.

The book isn't any good.

God.

It doesn't matter.

It's Henry Kettle.

I would have sold it for millions.

The trial is over, Henry.

The DA is dismissing all charges.

You're free.

Thank you.

Not just for me, for Margaret.

One thing.

My sister's book, the one you found, it's... It's our story. It's a memoir.

I serve follow-up to the great American novel.

The one everyone's been waiting for me to write.

I want to publish it.

If you do, everyone will know the truth.

It's time.

I just want to be myself again.

Hi, Dad. It's me.

We're at the hotel. Call us back. And go home if you're still at the office.

We love you.

Ray? Ray, did you forget something?

I'm sorry, guys. We're closed.

Mitch McDeer.

I've been thinking about this moment since I was 15 years old.

You know who I am?

Mr. Moralto asked you a question.

Hey, Joey.

You know why I'm here.

Go on, you son of a bitch. Get it over with.

Bitch.

Bitch. Come on, now.

It's 2012.

I don't want to kill you.

I want to hire you.